Sa di

Ch 05 On Love And Youth Story 02

It is said that a gentleman possessed a slave of exquisite beauty, whom he regarded with love and affection. He nevertheless said to a friend: ‘Would that this slave of mine, with all the beauty and good qualities he possesses, had not a long and uncivil tongue!’ He replied: ‘Brother, do not expect service, after professing friendship; because when relations between lover and beloved come in, the relations between master and servant are superseded’: When a master with a fairy-faced slave Begins to play and to laugh What wonder if the latter coquets like the master And the gentleman bears it like a slave? A slave is to draw water and make bricks. A pampered slave will strike with the fist. THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)